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Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a specie cultivated in Mauritania. The present study is focused on the potential of the aqueous extract of the Pergularia tomentosa L., as biological control agent against Fusarium brachygibbosum, the main agent of the date palm stipe rot disease in Mauritania. Fungal pathogen was isolated from symptomatic date palm stipe rot disease in Mauritania. The morphological characterization and the molecular identification by sequencing ITS1, ITS2 5.8 RNAr region showed homology of 98% with Fusarium brachygibbosum strain UOA/HCPF 16982 s during in vitro tests on leaves performed to verify its phytopathogenicity. The inhibitory effect of aqueous extract of Pergularia tomentosa L. on the phytopathogenic isolate (Fusarium brachygibbosum) of date palm, on mycelial growth and spore germination was observed. In fact, in vitro on PDA, mycelial growth ranged from 39.23 to 67.7%, depending on the concentration of the aqueous extract of P. tomentosa. The aqueous extract showed a reduction of spore germination varying from 5.3 to 23.8%. The minimum inhibitory concentrations varied from 1 to 100 mg/ml. The various extracts give high antioxidant activities exhibited by DPPH assay. Multivariant analysis by PCA plot and the heatmap were done, to evaluate the correlation between the tested parameters. These results suggest the use of Pergularia tomentosa L., extract as a biological agent to control and reduce damage caused by Fusarium brachygibbosum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration of safety aspects in IFMIF-DONES design is a main objective of EUROfusion and European Commission projects. IFMIF-DONES will be a radioactive facility of the first category, and stringent safety objectives must be achieved and demonstrated. A very low acceptable risk for the worker, the public and the environment is the main principle in the design phase. The progress of safety activities is performed iteratively as detailed engineering develops, taking into account the uniqueness of the facility: a high-power deuterons accelerator (125 mA, 40 MeV), a target of flowing liquid lithium, traps for activation products, a dedicated-design module for irradiated samples, a massive shielding cooled room with confinement function, and a number of conventional systems with safety functions. Several phases are developed: (i) identification of sources and materials at risk, radioactive and nonradioactive, subject to potential mobilization, (ii) failure mode analysis and effects of systems, starting at the functional level, and support with probabilistic analysis, (iii) identification of scenarios leading to unacceptable risk if unmitigated, (iv) proposal of layers of defense by means of safety-credited components and design features, (v) deterministic analysis of scenarios in support of requirements, and (vi) definition and demonstration of safety requirements charged to components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic and radiological crises can be caused by accidents, military activities, terrorist assaults involving atomic installations, the explosion of nuclear devices, or the utilization of concealed radiation exposure devices. Direct damage is caused when radiation interacts directly with cellular components. Indirect effects are mainly caused by the generation of reactive oxygen species due to radiolysis of water molecules. Acute and persistent oxidative stress associates to radiation-induced biological damages. Biological impacts of atomic radiation exposure can be deterministic (in a period range a posteriori of the event and because of destructive tissue/organ harm) or stochastic (irregular, for example cell mutation related pathologies and heritable infections). Potential countermeasures according to a specific scenario require considering basic issues, e.g., the type of radiation, people directly affected and first responders, range of doses received and whether the exposure or contamination has affected the total body or is partial. This review focuses on available medical countermeasures (radioprotectors, radiomitigators, radionuclide scavengers), biodosimetry (biological and biophysical techniques that can be quantitatively correlated with the magnitude of the radiation dose received), and strategies to implement the response to an accidental radiation exposure. In the case of large-scale atomic or radiological events, the most ideal choice for triage, dose assessment and victim classification, is the utilization of global biodosimetry networks, in combination with the automation of strategies based on modular platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In living kidney transplantation there are two different individuals, a healthy donor and a renal transplant recipient. This is an excellent human model to study factors that influence kidney function in the context of reduced renal mass and the adaptation of two comparable kidneys to different metabolic demands. Methods We analyzed the changes in measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR, iohexol) from pretransplantation to 12 months after transplantation in 30 donor–recipient pairs. Each donor was compared with his/her recipient. We defined a priori three different groups based on GFR differences at 12 months: donor > recipient (Group A; 78 ± 8 versus 57 ± 8 mL/min), donor < recipient (Group B; 65 ± 11 versus 79 ± 11 mL/min) and donor ≈ recipient (Group C; 66 ± 7 versus 67 ± 7 mL/min). Other factors like donor/recipient mismatches in body mass index (BMI), surface area and gender were evaluated. Results In Group A donors were mostly male and recipients were female (75% each). Donors had a higher baseline weight than their recipients. During follow-up, weight remained stable in donors but increased 7% in recipients. In Group B donors were mostly female (60%) and recipients male. At baseline, donors had a lower weight than recipients. At 12 months, weight was stable in donors but increased in recipients. In Group C donors were mostly (75%) female and recipients male. At baseline, donors had a higher BMI than their recipients. At 12 months, BMI was stable in donors but increased 14% in recipients. In multivariable analysis, higher GFR at 12 months was associated with higher baseline weight and GFR in donors and with male gender and higher baseline weight in recipients. Conclusions Kidneys from living donors are more 'plastic' than originally thought and respond to metabolic demands and weight changes of their new host. These changes should be taken into account when assessing GFR outcomes in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We deal with integrals of invariant measures of pairs of planes in the Euclidean space E 3 as considered by Hug and Schneider. In this paper, we express some of these integrals in terms of functions of the visual angle of a convex set. As a consequence of our results, we evaluate the deficit in a Crofton-type inequality due to Blaschke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A special session was held in the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA15) Congress to address the particular challenges facing developing countries regarding radiation protection infrastructure. The objective was to identify and share the key challenges facing developing countries regarding the ability to introduce and establish effective radiation protection programmes. The experiences of key international organisations (International Atomic Energy Agency, Pan American Health Organisation and World Health Organisation) that have support programmes were discussed, along with a perspective from several countries with developing programmes. The key common challenges include: governmental commitment at senior levels, with provision of the necessary resources: establishment of an independent regulatory body and related infrastructure: appropriate numbers of qualified staff in all necessary fields, including their education and training: supporting physical infrastructure, such as dosimetry and measurement equipment including calibration laboratories. In addressing these challenges the importance of support from the key international organisations was emphasised. More emphasis should be given to the application of the graded approach. The establishment of support networks at a national or regional level that allow for the sharing of experiences and resources, and that support the wellbeing of isolated professionals, is also crucial. In this aspect the support from wider professional bodies such as IRPA and established national radiation protection societies can also play a key role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we deal with a general type of integral formulas of the visual angle, among them those of Crofton, Hurwitz and Masotti, from the point of view of Integral Geometry. The purpose is twofold: to provide an interpretation of these formulas in terms of integrals of functions with respect to the canonical density in the space of pairs of lines and to give new simpler proofs of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was inspired by the growing international interest in the study of natural products of plant origin with bioactive properties that can replace synthetic chemical pesticides in the control of pathogens. The aim of this study was to explore the in vitro activity of Lanvandula dentata L. essential oil (EO) on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL), a dangerous fungal plant pathogen, causal agent of tomato crown and root rot. Initially, we proceeded to identify the forma specialis of two strains of F. oxyporum by PCR based on the differences in the genes responsible for the synthesis of endo-polygalacturonases (pg1) and exo-polygalacturonases (pgx4) and then tested the activity of the EO on these strains by the direct contact method at different concentrations. The results showed that increasing the concentration of EO had a significant inhibitory effect, with a minimum inhibition rate of 49.3±2.2% and 21.8±4.2 for the strains IB19501 and IB19502 respectively at the 0.25 μL/mL concentration and reaching 100±0.0 at the 1 μL/mL concentration for both strains. The data of this study reveal an important antifungal activity of the EO of L. dentata, these effects further validate the interest of our study and the traditional use of this plant, while indicating the possibilities of its potential use as a natural alternative to pesticides for the control of pathogenic fungi and thus preserve human health and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bayoud disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis (FOA) poses a major problem to date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in Northern Africa. To solve this issue, biocontrol agents and chemicals inducers were used to trigger defense reactions. The present study indicates the direct effect of two antagonistic fungi, Trichoderma harzianum (TH) and Clonostachys rosea (CR), and salicylic acid (SA) application (1 mM, 1.5 mM) in date palm against FOA. Date palm plants were infected by FOA, inoculated with TH or CR, 3 days earlier, or immersed at two SA concentrations (1 mM, 1,5 mM), daily for 3 days. Plants were harvested and examined 3 days after FOA inoculation with pathogen. FOA alone treated plants were led to strong induction of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and peroxidase (POX), all biocontrol treatments showed an increase in chitinase (CHI) and glucanase (GLU) activities. SA 1mM treated plants also showed high levels of lipoxygenase (LOX), SA 1,5 mM treated plants were increased in POX. Histochemical localization of POX activity and lignin content showed that high POX activity was already observed in plants treated with TH and CR. These findings support are useful in understanding the role of two antagonists and inducer abiotic to trigger defense related enzymes in imparting resistance to date palm against FOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emergency preparedness and response (EP&R) to radiological or nuclear accidents depends on many different stakeholder groups: nuclear and radiological regulators and authorities; institutions and ministries concerned by health, environment and consumption; first-line responders including the police, military, firefighters and health workers; as well as local authorities and nuclear industries. Stakeholders also include the general public, such as people living near NPPs8 or affected by previous nuclear or radiological accidents and incidents. Teachers and journalists, bloggers and other social media figures would play a key role in effective dissemination of knowledge and information. NGOs9 or civil associations/societies can also be involved in radiation monitoring and protection. The present study describes the role of different research institutions (such as CIEMAT10, UPM11 and ISGlobal12) and of the Spanish Society of Radiological Protection (SEPR) in bringing together the above-listed stakeholders in Spain to discuss EP&R and identify benefits and challenges of working together. Stakeholder opinions on EP&R, collected mainly in the framework of several European-funded projects, are provided. Remaining barriers and examples of good practices in radiation protection are discussed, as well as recommendations for improving nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness in Spain. The conclusions may be useful for other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a survey conducted from 2013-2014, in order to determine the fungal agents of wilt and dieback of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) from Ghardaia province in Southern Algeria, two Fusarium species; Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium proliferatum and Thielaviopsis sp were identified based on their cultural and morphological characteristics. Fusarium proliferatum (Matsush.) Nirenberg ex Gerlach & Nirenberg was isolated and identified, and Koch's postulates were completed. Morphological identification was based on morphological characteristics on PDA and SNA culture media, and it was confirmed molecularly using ribosomal DNA sequence. Data comparison of the sequence (KR 856363) at GenBank revealed 100 % similarity to this fungal species. A phytopathogenicity test was carried out with 3 months old plants, and they were inoculated by dipping the roots into a fungal conidial suspension and also compared with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis (Kill. & Maire) Malençon, known causal agent of date palm Fusarium wilt (Bayoud disease). After 90 days, disease incidence was eventually 76.66 % and 80 % for F. proliferatum and F. oxysporum, respectively, and the calculus of the index shows that this fungus would be a very serious threat to date palm. Microscopic observation of the roots provided confirmatory evidence that F proliferatum is causing a vascular disease on date palm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide a unified approach that encompasses some integral formulas for functions of the visual angle of a compact convex set due to Crofton, Hurwitz and Masotti. The basic tool is an integral formula that also allows us to integrate new functions of the visual angle. Also, we establish some upper and lower bounds for the considered integrals, generalizing, in particular, those obtained by Santaló for Masotti's integral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The IFMIF-DONES (International Fusion Material Irradiation Facility-DEMO Oriented NEutron Source) facility is being designed with the general objective of providing irradiation of representative samples of power fusion machine materials under prototypical conditions. A linear accelerator will deliver deuterons at high intensity to circulating lithium in a loop, which will produce neutrons capable of obtaining the required damage conditions. As a result of this process, radionuclides will be produced as a by-product, which is characterized by several degrees of mobility. Shielding and radiation protection measures will be required in the facility. IFMIF-DONES will be classified as a first class radioactive facility according to national regulations, with Spain being the European candidate to site the facility. Several aspects of the main safety instructions affecting the facility's design are explained and discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores influential factors of using narratives of Chernobyl in media reporting about the Fukushima nuclear accident: radiological consequences, geographical distance from the accident, status of a nuclear energy production, public opinion about nuclear energy and the level of a nuclear accident (INES scale). This study applies a large-scale media content analysis of newspapers articles (N = 1340) published in the first two months of the accident in twelve press opinion leaders in Belgium, Italy, Norway, Russia, Slovenia and Spain. The results show that the memory on the Chernobyl nuclear accident appeared in more than in every third article reporting of the present Fukushima nuclear accident despite the fact that Fukushima carried no direct radiological hazard for the newspaper's audience and, a frequent use of narratives is related to negative attitudes towards nuclear energy, a higher risk perception of nuclear power plants and to an active nuclear energy industry in the newspaper's country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide a unified approach that encompasses some integral formulas for functions of the visual angle of a compact convex set due to Crofton, Hurwitz and Masotti. The basic tool is an integral formula that also allows us to integrate new functions of the visual angle. Also, we establish some upper and lower bounds for the considered integrals, generalizing, in particular, those obtained by Santaló for Masotti's integral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we consider the evaluation of intervention countermeasures for the restoration of a radionuclide contaminated aquatic ecosystem, simultaneously taking into account several conflicting objectives, like environmental, social and economic impacts. We propose an extension of the additive multi-attribute utility model to incorporate the concept of veto to deal with this group decision-making problem. Moreover, we consider what is known as decision-making with partial, imprecise or incomplete information, which accounts for uncertainty about the alternative performances and imprecision concerning DM preferences by means of intervals or ordinal information. Veto values for the most important DMs are used to define veto ranges, whereas veto values corresponding to the other less important DMs are partially taken into account, leading to the construction of adjust ranges. We then build the veto and adjust functions into the additive model, and a dominance matrix accounting for incomplete information is computed. A dominance measuring method is then used to derive a ranking of alternatives for each DM, which are then aggregated taking into account their relative importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a large study of 1340 articles published by two major newspapers in six European countries (Belgium, Italy, Norway, Slovenia, Spain and Russia) in the first 2 months after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The focus of the analysis is on the application and overall impact of protective actions, both during the emergency phase and later, how the newspapers describe those actions, which differences were apparent between countries and what recommendations can be extracted in order to improve general communication about these issues. A clear lesson is that, even under uncertainty and recognising limitations, responsible authorities need to provide transparent, clear and understandable information to the public and the mass media right from the beginning of the early phase of any nuclear emergency. Clear, concise messages should be given. Mass media could play a key role in reassuring the public if the countermeasures are clearly explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An event in November 2007 in Ascó-1 nuclear power plant (NPP) in Spain, originated the release of a significant amount of active metallic particles through the discharge stack. Particles were dispersed and deposited in roofs and neighbouring areas within the NPP controlled area. However, the event was not detected until March 2008. More than 1,300 active points with radioactive particles were found, 94 % located inside the double fenced controlled area and 6 % within the exclusion area; 5 particles were found out of the exclusion area. To provide additional insights on the potential consequences of the release, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, ANSYS-CFX-11, has been used to investigate the near-range atmospheric dispersion and deposition of the particles. The purpose of the analysis was to assess the distance travelled by particles of different sizes. A very detailed model of the site was built, taking into account the buildings and the terrain features including the river valley and the surrounding hills. The modelled domain was $$3.2 \times 5.2\, \mathrm{km}$$ , with the atmospheric layer up to 4 km height. The atmospheric conditions recorded during the different periods of time between November 2007 and January 2008 were classified into 37 representative categories. In general, the distribution of the particles found was adequately reproduced by the numerical model. Particles larger than $$100\,{\upmu }$$ m could not travel beyond the double fence. Particles between $$\mathrm{50\;and\;100}\,{\upmu }$$ m could have been deposited mainly within the exclusion area, with a small probability of travelling farther. Smaller particles could have travelled beyond, but also should have been deposited in the nearby area, while the majority of particles found are larger, thus indicating that the size of the released particles should be above $$50\,{\upmu }$$ m. The detailed CFD simulation allowed answering relevant questions concerning the possibility of having an impacted region larger than the exclusion area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neutron Measurements Laboratory at the Nuclear Engineering Department of the Polytechnic University of Madrid consists of a bunker-like room and was built for neutron dosimetry research purposes and measurements. The facility includes a 74-GBq 241Am–Be neutron source placed inside a neutron Howitzer container. The source can be moved to the irradiation or to the storage position. In this work, a Bonner sphere spectrometer (BSS) was used to measure the neutron fluence spectra with the source in both positions. Ambient dose equivalent rates, *(10), were measured using a calibrated neutron area monitor LB6411 (Berthold). The measured count rates were used as input to the NSDann and NSDUAZ unfolding programs to obtain the neutron fluence spectra and *(10). Monte Carlo (MC) simulation methods were used to model the system and to calculate the neutron fluence rate and the ambient dose equivalent rate at the measurement points. The comparison between NSDUAZ and NSDann resulted in relative deviations up to 6.87 % in the total neutron fluence rate and 7.18 % in *(10) values, despite the differences in the shape of the spectra obtained for the irradiation position. Comparing with the measured values, the *(10) values obtained with the unfolding programs exhibit a maximum relative deviation of 12.19 %. Taking into account the associated uncertainties, MC simulations seem to be in reasonable agreement with measurements. A maximum relative deviation of 15.65 % between computed and measured *(10) values was obtained. The computed count rates were applied to the unfolding programs to calculate the total neutron fluence rate and a maximum deviation of 12.83 % was obtained between the original values calculated by NSDann. A sensitivity test showed that the NSDann unfolding program is very sensitive to the uncertainties of the BSS count rates. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We compute the measure with multiplicity of the set of complex planes intersecting a compact domain in any complex space form. The result is given in terms of the so-called hermitian intrinsic volumes. Moreover, we obtain two different versions for the Gauss-Bonnet-Chern formula in complex space forms. One of them gives the Gauss curvature integral in terms of the Euler characteristic, and some hermitian intrinsic volumes. The other one, which is shorter, involves the measure of complex hyperplanes meeting the domain. As a tool, we obtain variation formulas in integral geometry of complex space forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The short-term effects of forest overstory reduction and slash mulching on ground vegetation were analysed in a Mediterranean Aleppo pine reforested woodland on degraded agricultural land in south-east Spain. This sort of practice is becoming common in the Mediterranean basin to guard against forest fires, but very few attempts have been made to analyse its effect upon biodiversity. The data concerning floristic richness and above-ground biomass of species were measured as dependent variables in 0.5 × 0.5 m quadrats in an overstory reduction versus control area (treatment factor) during the spring of 2006. The data were analysed by ANCOVA, in which slash-mulch weight was introduced as covariate. Relationships between dependent variables and slash-mulch weight were examined using linear regression, and variations in floristic composition were ascertained by means of principal component analysis (PCA). A total of 32 ruderal herbaceous species were recorded, none of which was exotic. In spite of some methodological constraints (i.e. low number of samples and data from a non-replicated case study), the results of our study point to the conclusion that most of these species were found more frequently in the overstory-reduction treatment compared to the control area, and that only a few species clearly preferred the control treatment. In general, overstory reduction led to a significant increase both in floristic richness and above-ground biomass. Slash mulching, on the other hand, encouraged the appearance of a greater quantity of above-ground biomass (in different ways depending upon treatment), although species richness did not improve, even to the extent of declining in the control area. On the basis of our findings, overstory reduction seems to increase species richness and productivity in dense Mediterranean afforestations on degraded agricultural land, at least in the short-term. Large quantities of mulch accompanied by high tree density would seem not to favour species richness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systemic vasculitides constitute a heterogeneous group of diseases of autoimmunological origin characterized by inflammation of blood vessels and antibodies that react against autoantigens in a process that ultimately affects blood vessel walls. An important number of these patients present kidney disease. An endeavour of this area of research is the identification of autoantigens involved in these diseases. Accordingly, we used serum from a patient suffering from a microscopic polyangiitis, P-ANCA positive, manifesting a clinically atypical renal necrotizing glomerulonephritis and interstitial nephropathy for the identification of autoantigens; we also determined the prevalence of corresponding autoantibodies in other vasculitides, diabetic microangiopathy and in general population. Methods: The patient's serum was used as a probe for the immunoscreening method SEREX to screen a human brain cDNA expression library. Results: Four positive clones were isolated and sequenced. Clones Jos002 code for protein HDAC5, Jos014 for TFC4, Jos107 for RTF1, and Jos313 for POLDIP3 polymerase. The four proteins are of nuclear localization. None of them had been reported as autoantigen. Recombinant proteins were synthesised and checked as antigens by western blot with different sera from controls and patients affected with other vasculitides and diabetic microangiopathy as well. Only the serum from the patient origin of this study recognized all recombinant proteins. Conclusion: We identify four nuclear proteins, HDAC5, TFC4, RTF1 and POLDIP3 polymerase as new autoantigens that could be used as markers in the diagnosis of subfamilies in immune diseases, although we cannot determine the role of these proteins in the aetiopathogenic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bartter syndrome (BS) is a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive hypokalaemic salt-losing tubulopathies. Five types of BS caused by different genetic defects have been identified, and one of them is associated with sensorineural deafness (BSND). Mutations in the recently described BSND gene, mapped in chromosome 1p31, have been reported to be associated with BSND. This gene encodes barttin, an essential β-subunit subunit for ClC-Ka and ClC-Kb channels. Both subunits are co-expressed in basolateral membranes of renal tubules, in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle, and in the stria vascularis of the inner ear. We studied two apparently unrelated Spanish families from the Canary Islands, with five members showing this pathology. Sequence analysis of the BSND gene showed that the affected members were homozygous for a C-to-T transition in exon 1, while their parents were heterozygous. This alteration results in a missense mutation, G47R, which has been previously shown to abolish the stimulatory effect on the subunit barttin of the ClC-Kb channel. Our results indicate that families with the G47R mutation indeed present polyhydramnios, premature birth and salt loss. Nevertheless, glomerular filtration rate was normal in all patients. Clinical manifestations are moderate in patients with the G47R mutation compared to other published data form patients with BSND. This constitutes the first report of BSND cases in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper studies the relation between the asymptotic values of the ratios area/length (F/L) and diameter/length (D/L) of a sequence of convex sets expanding over the whole hyperbolic plane. It is known that F/L goes to a value between 0 and 1 depending on the shape of the contour. In the paper, it is first of all seen that D/L has limit value between 0 and 1/2 in strong contrast with the euclidean situation in which the lower bound is 1/À (D/L = 1/À if and only if the convex set has constant width). Moreover, it is shown that, as the limit of D/L approaches 1/2, the possible limit values of F/L reduce. Examples of all possible limits F/L and D/L are given. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Pythium catenulatum, P. diclinum and P. paroecandrum, as well as asexual forms with filamentous sporangia were isolated from irrigation water in the Poniente region of Almería (south-eastern Spain). The taxonomic and morphological details of these fungal isolates are described. P. catenulatum and P. diclinumare new reports to Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Erythropoietin (EPO) deficiency is the main cause of renal anaemia. However, inhibition of erythropoiesis by cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) may play an important role. The aim of this work was to study the effects of pentoxifylline, an agent with anti-TNF-a properties, on the haematologic status in anaemic patients with advanced renal failure. Material and Methods: In a prospective study, 7 anaemic patients with advanced renal disease (creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min) were treated with pentoxifylline (400 mg orally daily) for 6 months. The evolution of haemoglobin, haematocrit, creatinine clearance and serum EPO and TNF-a a concentrations were compared with those obtained from an untreated control group. Results: Haemoglobin and haematocrit significantly increased in the pentoxifylline-treated patients (9.9 ± 0.5 g/dl and 27.9 ± 1.6% at baseline; 10.6 ± 0.6 g/dl and 31.3 ± 1.9% at the 6th month, respectively, p < 0.01), whereas no variation was seen in the control group. Serum EPO levels remained stable in all patients. However, the serum TNF-a concentration decreased significantly in patients receiving pentoxifylline (basal 623 ± 366 pg/ml; 6th month 562 ± 358 pg/ml, p < 0.01), but not in the control group. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the inhibition of erythropoiesis by cytokines may play a significant role in renal anaemia. The administration of agents with anti-cytokine properties, such as pentoxifylline, can improve the haematologic status in anaemic patients with advanced renal failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that the limit Area/Length for a sequence of convex sets expanding over the whole hyperbolic plane is less than or equal 1, and exactly 1 when the sets considered are convex with respect to horocycles. We consider geodesics and horocycles as particular cases of curves of constant geodesic curvature λ with 0 ≥ λ ≤ 1 and we study the above limit Area/Length as a function of the parameter λ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With patients demanding services to control their own health conditions, hospitals are looking to build agility in delivering care by extending their reach into patient and partner ecosystems and sharing relevant patient data to support care continuity. However, sharing patient data with several external stakeholders outside a hospital network calls for the development of a digital platform that is trusted by both hospitals and stakeholders, given that there is often no single entity supporting such coordination. In this paper, we propose a methodology that uses a blockchain architecture to address the technical challenge of linking disparate systems used by multiple stakeholders and the social challenge of engendering trust by using visualization to bring about transparency in the way in which data are shared. We illustrate this methodology using a pilot implementation. The paper concludes with a discussion and directions for future research and makes some concluding comments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by both renal and non-renal disorders. Extrarenal involvement includes noncystic manifestations such as cardiovascular abnormalities, colonic diverticula and intracranial aneurysms. Familial sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been included in the definition of Alport's syndrome. However, other types of nephropathy have been occasionally associated with hereditary deafness. The association of ADPKD with hereditary SNHL has not been previously documented. We report a family with ADPKD associated with bilateral sensorineural deafness in a pedigree of four affected members in four generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nosocomial transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in hemodialysis (HD) units is well established. In units with a high prevalence of HCV infection, the implementation of universal precautionary measures may not suffice in order to decrease the incidence and prevalence of HCV. In this setting strict isolation practices can be useful in order to achieve this goal. Methods: The incidence and prevalence of HCV infection amongst all HD and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients from the province of Albacete, Spain, have been studied from 1992 to 2003.Through the 1993–1995 period chronic HD patients were treated either in a room exclusively for HCV– patients or in a room shared by HCV+ and HCV– patients. Complete separation of HCV+ and HCV– patients was implemented in 1995. Acute patients have been separated since 1992. The implementation of universal precautions was applied throughout the period. Results: There has not been a single seroconversion in the rooms where only HCV– patients were dialyzed during the 11 years of follow-up. There were two seroconversions in the rooms shared for 3 years by both HCV+ and HCV– patients. In 1995 the prevalence of HCV+ cases in HD and PD was 21.6 and 23.2%, respectively. Since then it has decreased steadily and in parallel for both therapies, and the current prevalence is 6.8% in HD and 5.7% in PD. Conclusions: In HD units with a high prevalence of HCV+ patients, strict isolation in combination with implementation of universal prevention measures can eliminate nosocomial transmission and obtain a long-term reduction in prevalence. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]